Danica Patrick Discusses Body Image with Real vs. Produced Photos Instagram Post

NASCAR driver Danica Patrick posted side-by-side pictures on Instagram Tuesday to discuss the differences between real and produced photographs that tend to appear on social media. 

In an encouraging message, Patrick wrote: "I kinda love when people do real vs produced shots. The difference between the two is lighting, pose, and clothes adjustments. We all want to look our best at all times, no shame in that. But don't let someone else's body put yours down. Use it for motivation. Keep digging friends to be the best you! You own that! We all know when we are treating our bodies with the respect it deserves. It's the one and only thing we own for life."

Patrick isn't the first prominent female athlete to open up about body image in a public forum. 

Last August, Serena Williams discussed how she tries to maintain a positive outlook in the face of criticism about her appearance. 

"I love my body, and I would never change anything about it," she told Howie Kahn of SELF Magazine. "I'm not asking you to like my body. I'm just asking you to let me be me. Because I'm going to influence a girl who does look like me, and I want her to feel good about herself."